We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.
3DS

North America

Pokédex 3D Pro

by Alex Culafi - November 8, 2012, 4:32 am EST
Total comments: 13

8.5

An excellent experience marred only by its price point.

Pokédex 3D Pro is the paid downloadable sequel to the free Pokédex 3D, an app released on the 3DS eShop last year that was capable of showing models of every Unovan Pokémon in 3D. 3D Pro includes every known Pokémon and form from all five generations, which ends up being well over 700 3D Pokémon models and forms, but that's far from all.

In addition to the models, Pokédex 3D Pro tracks egg groups, abilities, type matchups, evolutions, complete move sets, and much more. From a Pokémon fan standpoint, 3D Pro is much more serious than before. There is a completely separate Move Dex that goes through each move, which Pokémon can learn it, and how each Pokémon does so. In addition, there is now a narrator who (I presume) correctly pronounces the names of each and every Pokémon. Who knew the "c" in Arceus is actually a hard one? 

Each Pokémon and form in the series comes with its own cry, AR marker, 3D model, and animation. The 3D models in this application are by far the prettiest example of 3DS graphics. They all have adequate detail (the fire on Ponyta's back actually looks like proper fire), all the models are smooth (practically no jaggies, even on 3DS XL), the shadows on each Pokémon look perfect, and the fact that these are the most realistic looking Pokémon yet is a marvelous thing. It would take hours to properly appreciate the work put into these creatures, and I find no hesitation in saying I will spend all of those hours by the time I am done with 3D Pro. 

On the UI front, everything has been touched up. The app now has some customization options between the background scenes (outer space, a forest, and four others), up to six window styles, and up to three different kinds of background music.

The AR viewer also returns, and as expected, every single Pokémon can be presented in the real world. It is as good as it has always been, but it is still something of a take it or leave it feature.

The last feature worth mentioning is the new Pokémon Challenge mode. Within it are 36 quizzes (and three bonus ones reserved for password-based exams) that test your Pokémon knowledge from every single piece of information in this game: Pokémon, types, stats, egg groups, abilities, special forms, weights, heights (fun fact: Nidoking is only four feet tall), and Pokémon cries. Fans of the series may find the quizzes (which need to be progressively unlocked) dull and simple at first, though as you get into the nitty-gritty, the quizzes get appropriately difficult. The egg group quiz was so difficult that I must have retried it 20 times. While an interesting feature, these quizzes still only regurgitate information from the Pokédex. I would have liked to see a bit of game or anime trivia thrown in.

As I sing the praises of how much of an improvement this application is, I can't help but shake the fact that the price of admission is very steep. Currently priced higher than any other eShop-exclusive game, there is no shame in thinking that 3D Pro is just too expensive. However, if you are a big fan of the series and can appreciate the app’s specific content, Pokédex 3D Pro may be worth it.

Summary

Pros
  • Much more suitable for a serious player
  • No skimping on content
  • The models are the best looking things on 3DS
Cons
  • Not enough variety in Pokémon Challenge
  • Price might be too steep for some

Talkback

Pixelated PixiesNovember 08, 2012

Maybe I'm just cynical but isn't this a blatant attempt to monetise the process of asset creation? With the 3DS being so heavilly leveraged upon 3D, Nintendo were going to have to create these 3D models anyway if they were to ever release a Pokemon sequel which took advantage of the platform. It just seems to me like they're trying to squeeze a little money out of Pokemon fans along the way.

I downloaded the free version of this App when it was originally released and found it to be uninteresting. I assumed at that point that Gamefreak and Nintendo were merely using the App to show off what the next generation of Pokemon games might look like and to get fans excited. To expect people to pay money for something like this, however, seems crazy to me. I appreciate that this updated App has more content, but based on this review it still seems to me like a collection of assets rather offering anything more substantial.

I'm not a Pokemon fan though, so what do I know?

CericNovember 08, 2012

Quote from: Pixelated

Maybe I'm just cynical but isn't this a blatant attempt to monetise the process of asset creation? With the 3DS being so heavilly leveraged upon 3D, Nintendo were going to have to create these 3D models anyway if they were to ever release a Pokemon sequel which took advantage of the platform. It just seems to me like they're trying to squeeze a little money out of Pokemon fans along the way.

I downloaded the free version of this App when it was originally released and found it to be uninteresting. I assumed at that point that Gamefreak and Nintendo were merely using the App to show off what the next generation of Pokemon games might look like and to get fans excited. To expect people to pay money for something like this, however, seems crazy to me. I appreciate that this updated App has more content, but based on this review it still seems to me like a collection of assets rather offering anything more substantial.

I'm not a Pokemon fan though, so what do I know?

There are plenty of people who fill the niche for this product.  Especially as you said Nintendo was probably doing this anyway.  It is in a way a brilliant scheme to take a game with a large amount of animated crucial assets and make some funding for what will probably be the models for the next generation of Pokemon on Nintendo Platforms.

Its a clever idea that they can only get away with once.

TJ SpykeNovember 08, 2012

Well, once with Pokemon. They could probably do a Mario encyclopedia, a Zelda one, a Metroid one, etc. and each of those would sell pretty well.

CericNovember 08, 2012

Quote from: TJ

Well, once with Pokemon. They could probably do a Mario encyclopedia, a Zelda one, a Metroid one, etc. and each of those would sell pretty well.

Agreed.

SteegosaurusNovember 08, 2012

I may just be missing it, but I don't see the price listed anywhere in the review.  This sounds cool, but I would like to know the price.  I realize I could find it elsewhere on the internet, but since price is brought up as the major con, it would be a good inclusion in the article.

DivineAlphaNovember 08, 2012

Quote from: Steegosaurus

I may just be missing it, but I don't see the price listed anywhere in the review.  This sounds cool, but I would like to know the price.  I realize I could find it elsewhere on the internet, but since price is brought up as the major con, it would be a good inclusion in the article.

Pokedex 3D Pro is $14.99. I personally think this should have been the same price as Pokemon Dream Radar ($2.99), but oh well... I may still end up getting this anyway.

5kytarNovember 08, 2012

15 bucks!? That's way over my budget for this app. For me at least, 15 bucks just ain't worth it.

I bought both Black 2 and White 2... but I cannot justify this, especially since the main advantage of a Pokedex on the 3DS is lost when you can't access it while playing Pokemon.

That and monetizing asset creation makes me fear for a DLC-ified Pokemon future.

yoshi1001November 09, 2012

Quote:

In addition, there is now a narrator who (I presume) correctly pronounces the names of each and every Pokémon. Who knew the "c" in Arceus is actually a hard one?

The narrator is the same voice that is used for the Pokedex in the current version of the anime.


And yes, it is a hard c. Had you watched movie 12, you would know that.  ;)

Pixelated PixiesNovember 09, 2012

Quote from: yoshi1001

And yes, it is a hard c. Had you watched movie 12, you would know that.  ;)


They've made 12 of those things?! But...Why?

CaterkillerMatthew Osborne, Contributing WriterNovember 09, 2012

Quote from: Pixelated

Quote from: yoshi1001

And yes, it is a hard c. Had you watched movie 12, you would know that.  ;)


They've made 12 of those things?! But...Why?

Because the wheel keeps turning and a new generation rises every few years!

TJ SpykeNovember 09, 2012

They are actually up to 15 (maybe 16 if you could the two different versions of movie 14 as separate). The 15th came out in Japan in July and comes out in North America next month. It focuses on Kyurem.

WahJuly 31, 2013

Nintendo! where u get pok'ecards!

Share + Bookmark





Genre
Developer Creatures Inc.
Players1

Worldwide Releases

na: Pokédex 3D Pro
Release Nov 08, 2012
PublisherNintendo
RatingEveryone
jpn: Pokémon Zenkoku Zukan Pro
Release Jul 14, 2012
PublisherNintendo
eu: Pokédex 3D Pro
Release Year 2012
PublisherNintendo
aus: Pokédex 3D Pro
Release Year 2012
PublisherNintendo

Related Content

Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement